Stinging Nettle: Benefits and Nutrition

Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, RD

Stinging nettle is a weedy plant from the nettle family called Urticaceae. Its scientific name is Urtica dioica (U. dioica). Stinging nettle is common in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia but also grows in other parts of the world.

Stinging nettle contains various substances that may be responsible for how stinging nettle works.

This article discusses what you should know about stinging nettle—its health claims, side effects, and interactions.

Supplement Facts

• Active Ingredient(s): Flavonoids, tannins, fatty acids, isolectins, sterols, terpenes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and carotenoids

• Alternate Names(s): Stinging nettle, common nettle, Urtica dioica, U. dioica

• Legal Status: Food and dietary supplement

• Suggested Dose: May vary based on dosage form and medical condition

• Safety Considerations: Possible side effects, interactions, and special considerations for children, pregnancy, and breastfeeding

Uses of Stinging Nettle

Explainer

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

While more extensive research is necessary regarding effectiveness, people generally use stinging nettle to treat various health conditions.

Research is most robust for the following:

• Allergies

• Arthritis

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate

• Heart failure and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

• Heart health
  

Allergies

Scientists used freeze-dried stinging nettle for allergies for one week. In this small study, stinging nettle relieved allergies better than placebo (a substance with no medicine in it).

While the results were positive, future research with larger and longer-term studies is warranted to understand the effects of stinging nettle better.

Arthritis

According to a review article, nettle leaves reportedly lessened arthritis symptoms.

The review article also mentioned a small clinical trial that studied the effects of stewed nettle in combination with diclofenac, the active ingredient in such brands as Cambria (oral) and Voltaren (topical, meaning on the skin). And in this small study, the results showed that diclofenac with or without stewed nettle was equally effective at relieving acute (short-term) arthritis symptoms.

While promising, additional research with higher-quality and larger studies is necessary.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

An article evaluated four clinical trials which studied the effects of PRO 160/120 for about six months. PRO 160/120 is a combination herbal product that contains a fixed dose of saw palmetto fruits and stinging nettle roots.

According to this evaluation article, PRO 160/120 improved benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms—like nighttime trips to the bathroom—better than the placebo. Compared to the standard of care (the normal medical treatment) for BPH, there were no differences between these medications and PRO 160/120.

Although these results were promising, additional research with higher-quality clinical trials is warranted.

Moreover, these clinical trials studied PRO 160/120, a combination product containing stinging nettle and saw palmetto. For this reason, knowing about stinging nettle's effects alone is challenging.

Heart Failure and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

In a review article, results from a small study supported the potential use of nettle herb juice for heart failure (HF) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

In the small clinical trial, the nettle herb juice acted like a diuretic (water pill). So, some study participants had a larger daily volume (amount) of urine. With less water retention, these participants also had slightly lower weight and blood pressure.

Further rigorous research with larger and longer-term studies is necessary to better understand these effects.

Heart Health

A review article mentioned a small clinical trial that studied the effects of a particular extract of stinging nettle in participants with type 2 diabetes for eight weeks.

When compared to placebo, the stinging nettle extract lowered fasting (before-meal) blood sugar and triglycerides—while raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ("good cholesterol") levels.

Moreover, the extract increased nitric oxide (NO) levels. NO is a naturally occurring gas. In your body, NO can relax blood vessels and increase blood flow. And long-term low NO levels might result in diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease.

In fact, results from this small study supported the addition of the stinging nettle extract to standard of care for diabetes to limit complications, such as heart disease risk factors in people with diabetes.

Although the results are positive, future extensive research with larger and longer-term studies is warranted.

Nutrition

Stinging nettle is a source of nutrition. In a 1-cup serving, stinging nettle contains the following nutrients.

What Are the Side Effects of Stinging Nettle?

Stinging nettle, as with many medications and natural products, may have side effects.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects of stinging nettle may include:

• Diarrhea

• Increased urine (pee) flow

• Skin irritation

• Stomach upset

• Sweating

Severe Side Effects

Possible serious side effects may include:

• Severe allergic reaction: A severe allergic reaction is a profound side effect possible with any medication or natural product. If you're having a severe allergic reaction, symptoms may include breathing difficulties, itchiness, and rash.

• Blood pressure changes: Stinging nettle has affected blood pressure. With high blood pressure, symptoms are unlikely until the condition is so severe that you're having complications—like a heart attack or stroke. As for low blood pressure, you might experience symptoms of dizziness and fainting spells.

• Low blood sugar: Stinging nettle has lowered your blood sugar. But if this effect is excessive, low blood sugar symptoms may include sweating, shakiness, and excessive tiredness.

If you're having a severe allergic reaction or if any of your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 and get medical help right away.

Precautions

A healthcare provider may advise against stinging nettle if any of the following applies to you:

• Severe allergic reaction: Avoid stinging nettle if you have a known allergy to it or its components (ingredients or parts). For clarification on whether it's safe, ask a pharmacist, healthcare provider, or registered dietitian for more information.
  

• Pregnancy: Stinging nettle may cause miscarriages. But since the evidence for this is unclear, healthcare providers will likely recommend against stinging nettle during pregnancy. Before using stinging nettle, contact a healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks.

• Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding parents have used stinging nettle to treat anemia. It might also increase milk production. But more valid clinical trials must be conducted to understand stinging nettle's effects and safety on breastfeeding parents and nursing babies. Moreover, a report of skin rash in a nursing infant from topical (on the skin) stinging nettle exists. Discuss its benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before using stinging nettle.

• Adults over 65: Some older adults participated in stinging nettle-related studies. Generally, stinging nettle is well-tolerated—with some mild digestive system-related side effects, such as diarrhea. Some older adults may have a higher likelihood of medication-related side effects. For this reason, discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

• Children: Stinging nettle might affect the menstrual period cycle. Moreover, a report of skin rash in a nursing baby from topical stinging nettle. Talk with a healthcare provider if you consider stinging nettle for your child.

• Diabetes: Stinging nettle has lowered blood sugar. A healthcare provider may want to closely monitor you and make any necessary medication adjustments.

• High blood pressure: Stinging nettle has affected blood pressure. Therefore, a healthcare provider may want to closely monitor you and make any necessary medication adjustments.

• High cholesterol: Stinging nettle has affected cholesterol. A healthcare provider may want to closely monitor you and make any necessary medication adjustments.

• Kidney problems: Stinging nettle has increased urine flow or volume. So, if you have kidney problems, healthcare providers will likely want to monitor you and make any necessary medication adjustments.

• Animals: Toxicity from stinging nettle is possible in animals. In dogs, there were reports of itchiness, rapid breathing, excessive amounts of saliva, narrow pupils, weak limbs, uncontrollable muscle movements, uncontrollable eye twitches, and decreased reflexes. Before using stinging nettle on or around animals, contact your veterinarian to discuss the benefits and risks.

Dosage: How to Use Stinging Nettle?

Explainer

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.

Some human studies using stinging nettle exist. However, more high-quality research is still necessary.

For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage for stinging nettle for any condition.

In an enlarged prostate study, however, 120 milligrams of stinging nettle root dry extract was used in a combination herbal product containing 160 milligrams of saw palmetto fruit extract. In this clinical trial, some study participants took two capsules daily for 24 weeks.

The specific dose may vary based on the dosage form and medical condition. Follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or product label instructions if you use stinging nettle.

Explainer

Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States. They can cause interactions with medications or have other safety concerns. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of what to look for when choosing a supplement, such as third-party testing, potential drug interactions, and more.

How to Incorporate Stinging Nettle Into Your Diet?

You can include stinging nettle into your diet in several ways. For example, you may cook and eat the young leaves from this plant. You may also use stinging nettle in soup, curries, bread, and pastries.

What Happens If I Take Too Much Stinging Nettle?

In general, stinging nettle is well-tolerated. But more information about the safety, toxicity, and overdose of stinging nettle in humans is needed.

However, overdose symptoms with stinging nettle are likely similar to symptoms of its common and serious side effects—but are excessive and more severe.

Interactions

Stinging nettle might interact with the following medications:

• Blood pressure medications: Stinging nettle might affect your blood pressure. This may interact with your blood pressure medications, such as Zestril (lisinopril). With high blood pressure, symptoms are unlikely until the condition is so severe that you're having complications—like a heart attack or stroke. As for low blood pressure, you might experience symptoms of dizziness and fainting spells.

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants: The CNS includes your brain and spinal cord. CNS depressants slow down the activity of your CNS. Combining stinging nettle with CNS depressants might result in excessive sleepiness and drowsiness. An example of a CNS depressant is Ativan (lorazepam).

• Cholesterol medications: Stinging nettle may affect your cholesterol, especially triglycerides. This may have additive effects with certain cholesterol medications, such as omega-3 fatty acids.

• Diabetes medications: Stinging nettle might lower your blood sugar. This might have additive effects on your diabetes medications, such as insulin. If your blood sugar is too low, symptoms may include tremors and sweating.

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medications: Stinging nettle may lessen your arthritis symptoms. This might interact with RA medications, such as Humira (adalimumab).
  

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included.

Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Similar Supplements

In general, stinging nettle has potential uses for arthritis, heart failure, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and enlarged prostate. Stinging nettle may potentially lower blood sugar, decrease triglycerides, and support heart health in people with type 2 diabetes.

So, other potentially similar supplements may include:

• Chromium: Chromium may improve blood sugar control in some people with diabetes. However, conflicting evidence exists.

• Garlic: Garlic may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Since high blood pressure and cholesterol are risk factors for heart disease, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol may also lower your heart disease risk.

• Grape seed extract: Some clinical trials with weak evidence suggested that grape seed extract may relieve CVI symptoms.

• Hawthorn: Although there are clinical trials for using hawthorn in heart failure, the evidence is conflicting.

• Horse chestnut: Horse chestnut may improve CVI symptoms, but higher quality studies are warranted.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels and may relieve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. While omega-3 fatty acid supplements won't decrease heart disease risk, people eating seafood one to four times per week are less likely to die from heart disease.

• Saw palmetto: Saw palmetto with stinging nettle may relieve some enlarged prostate symptoms.
  

Only combine multiple natural products once you first talk with a healthcare provider, pharmacist, or dietitian. Checking in can help you avoid possible harmful interactions and side effects and ensure you're giving these supplements a fair trial at appropriate doses.

Sources of Stinging Nettle & What to Look For

There are a few different sources of stinging nettle.

Food Sources of Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is naturally available as a plant, and you may cook and eat the young leaves.

Aside from using this plant in soup and curries, you may add stinging nettle to bread and pastries.

Stinging Nettle Supplements

Stinging nettle supplements are commonly available in a capsule form. Other dosage forms of stinging nettle are:

• Gummies

• Liquid

• Powder

• Tablets

• Tea bags

But some of these other dosage forms might be in combination with other ingredients. You may also see vegetarian and vegan options.

Your specific product will depend on your preference and what you hope to get regarding effects. Each product may work a bit differently, depending on the form. For this reason, following a healthcare provider's recommendations or label directions is essential.

Summary

Stinging nettle is a weedy plant from the nettle family called Urticaceae. Stinging nettle has potential uses for arthritis, heart failure, chronic venous insufficiency, and enlarged prostate.

Stinging nettle may also have the potential use of lowering blood sugar, decreasing triglycerides, and supporting heart health in people with type 2 diabetes. Since further extensive research is necessary, it's important not to delay the diagnosis and treatment of your medical conditions.

Before using stinging nettle, involve a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider to help you safely achieve your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is stinging nettle?

Stinging nettle is a weedy plant from the nettle family called Urticaceae.

What does stinging nettle look like?

The stinging nettle is a tall plant that may grow up to 6.5 feet tall. Its leaves and stems are covered in plant hairs. Stinging nettle may also have tiny dense clusters (groups) of flowers, which are either green or white. You will likely see these flower clusters hanging from the plant's stems.

What is stinging nettle good for?

Stinging nettle a good source of various nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Stinging nettle may also have several potential uses, such as for enlarged prostate.

What is the most common dosage form of stinging nettle?

Stinging nettle supplements are available in a few different dosage forms—with capsules potentially being the most common.

Are there stinging nettle products from U.S. manufacturers?

Yes. Manufacturers in the United States make stinging nettle products.

How do I take stinging nettle safely?

To safely take natural products—like stinging nettle—inform healthcare providers and pharmacists about all medications you take. This includes over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, natural medicines, and supplements.

They can help prevent possible interactions and side effects. They can also ensure that you’re giving stinging nettle a fair trial at appropriate doses.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.